Hithadhoo

Hithadhoo is the main administrative district of Addu City in Seenu (Addu) Atoll, the southernmost atoll of the Maldives. Located approximately 531 km south of Malé, Hithadhoo is the second largest island in the Maldives with a surface area of 540 hectares (5.4 km²), measuring 6.8 km in length and 1.8 km in width. It is home to the largest population of any administrative island in the Maldives (excluding Malé), with approximately 16,865 residents as of 2024. Hithadhoo houses the majority of Addu City's administrative buildings, the Equatorial Convention Centre, the Addu Equatorial Hospital (the only tertiary hospital in the southern region), and multiple educational institutions including kindergartens, primary schools, secondary schools, and a college. The island is connected by causeways to Feydhoo, Maradhoo, and Gan, forming the western connected island chain of Addu Atoll. The island features lush vegetation in the southern part and partially stony scrubland in the north. Visitors can experience the vibrant local culture, explore the Addu Nature Park, and enjoy the unique southern Maldivian atmosphere.